WOLVES STOPPED BY CHARLOTTE IN SHOOTOUT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Chicago Wolves rallied twice to force overtime and earn a point, but Brody Sutter’s shootout goal made the difference as the Charlotte Checkers claimed a 3-2 shootout win on Tuesday night at Bojangles’ Coliseum.

Center Ivan Barbashev and defenseman Andre Benoit scored goals for the Wolves (25-26-5-3), but Chicago was stuffed by Charlotte goaltender John Muse on 6 shots in overtime and all three shootout attempts.

Charlotte (28-24-3-3), which extended its lead to 4 points over the Wolves for fifth place in the Central Division, broke on top with 52 seconds left in the first period. Wolves goaltender Jordan Binnington extended his left leg to block Anthony Camara’s shot from the left circle, but Sutter won the race to the rebound sitting outside the crease and tapped it home.

Barbashev pulled the Wolves even 2:11 into the second period. He chased down the puck by the end boards and fed a pass back to Yannick Veilleux, whose backhander from close range was denied by Muse. Barbashev hustled into position to flip the rebound over Muse for his ninth goal of the year.

Charlotte regained the lead on Andrew Miller’s power-play goal at 2:56 of the third. Defenseman Trevor Carrick launched a low blast from the right point and Miller, acquired in a trade Monday, redirected the shot into the net.

The Wolves responded with Benoit’s power-play goal to make it 2-2 at 11:03 of the third. Pat Cannone dropped a pass below the goal line to Danny Kristo, who slid a quick pass across the crease to Benoit for a one-timer over Muse’s glove.

The Wolves worked for several dangerous shots during the 3-on-3 overtime session, but Muse (10-4-3) was equal to the task and finished with 16 saves. Binnington (12-12-5) rejected 25 of 27 shots during regulation and overtime as well as 2 of 3 shootout attempts.

The Wolves face Charlotte again at 6 p.m. Thursday before returning to Allstate Arena at 7 p.m. Saturday to play the Milwaukee Admirals in an Amtrak Rivalry contest. The first 5,000 fans receive a Wolves fleece blanket, courtesy of Kia. To find the best deals on tickets, visit ChicagoWolves.com or call 1-800-THE-WOLVES.